Well Fastball fans, it's been a long week so far in Tavistock, Ontario as the much anticipated Cephas Roth Memorial event has taken a few twists and turns along the way. Earlier in the week, I was contacted by both the Quyon Combat Flyers and the East York Leafs to inform me that both teams have suffered serious injury to player personnel and especially their respective pitching staffs. For two days, we worked diligently to attempt to find them replacement players but to no avail. Unfortunately, we are forced to move on without these two teams and we sincerely hope that both squads will be available to join us in 2012.


As they say on Broadway however, the "Show" must go on, and it will !! We will now be working with two pools of 4 teams with each team playing 3 pool games followed by quarter finals, semi finals and the Championship Final. The new schedule is posted here on Al's site and we anticipate some classic match ups between our local teams, and the excitement of the local squads taking a shot at upsetting the top seeds. We are pleased to welcome all 8 teams to this year's event and we know that everyone will enjoy the crowds and the atmosphere that Tavistock will provide.


The weather forecast for the weekend so far looks spectacular. Lot's of sunshine, warm temperatures, COLD beverages, fabulous BBQ'd meals including the famous Tavistock A's Breakfast sandwich, 50/50 draws, large crowds, and World Class Fastball. What fan could ask for more ??
Speaking of more, please join us for our Opening Ceremony to honour the family of Cephas Roth. Opening Ceremonies will commence just prior to the 8:00pm game on Friday night between Jarvis and Elmira. The Roth family will join us on the diamond to say a few words followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Katie Roth and the Opening Pitches by 3 special young fastballers, the Grandson's of Cephas Roth.
Friday Night immediately following the 8:00pm game, Katie Roth and her band, 24 Karat, will kick off the Live Music show in the beer tent until closing time. If you haven't seen this band play, you don't want to miss the show !!! Great music selections for all ages and music preferences. Should be a GREAT NIGHT !!


Saturday at 5:00pm we will again showcase our young fastball talent with the North Waterloo League Bantam Boys All Star game on the Queens Diamond. For anyone that thinks the game of fastball is in a declining state, they will be pleasantly surprised with the talent level that will be on display from 5:00 to 6:30pm. Don't miss this game!! The quarter final playoff games will begin at 7:00pm on both diamonds following the All Star game with the second set of quarters scheduled for 9:00pm.


With the revised schedule, the 4 remaining teams will begin semi final play Sunday at 9:00am and 11:00am with the Championship Final set for 1:30pm. Pending any weather delays, all games Sunday will take place at the Queens Park with Kyle, Joe and Ball Park Radio there to call the final two games of the tournament.


I have been contacted by some people wishing to camp for the weekend. We do have room for more and are happy to accommodate everyone for a nominal fee. I should be around personally most of Friday morning and afternoon to help you find a good location to set up "shop" for the weekend.
For anyone who hasn't figured out quite yet where Tavistock is located, we don't want any excuses for you not joining us for the weekend so here we go.


Tavistock is a town of approximately 2500 people located 20 minutes north of Woodstock, 15 minutes southeast of Stratford and 20 minutes southwest of Kitchener. When approaching from the east, the easiest route to Tavistock is to take Highway #7 from Kitchener towards Stratford and at the lights in the village of Shakespeare (5 minutes east of Stratford), hang a left and head south on what becomes Highway #59. If you are approaching Tavistock from the Woodstock area, simply follow Highway #59 north and it will lead you directly into downtown Tavistock (you will also pass the Optimist Park on the way into town). If you are coming from the west, please reverse direction on Hwy #7 in Shakespeare and make a right onto Highway #59. If you have any trouble from any direction, don't be afraid to stop and ask the best way to Tavistock and if you make it to town and can't find the park, there will be a friendly face that will point you in the right direction.


NOW we do have some construction taking place on a few side streets in Tavistock near the Queens Park so here is your best plan of attack within the "City" limits !! At the main intersection (only one set of traffic lights in town), head southwest on Woodstock Street (which is also Hwy # 59) and the second street you will come to is William Street. Turn south On William St. and follow it briefly to Adam Street. Turn east onto Adam Street and drive straight ahead through the large stone gates and the arena parking lot. You have arrived at your weekend destination !!! 1 Adam Street Tavistock, Ontario, NOB 2RO is your GPS location.


The above route should alleviate any potential construction misery that you may incur but again, it's not a big place so you won't get lost for long. Queens Park to Optimist Park is Adam St. west to William St. Turn Right on William to Woodstock Street. Turn Left onto Woodstock Street (Hwy #59) and Optimist Park is just down the road on the right hand side (north). Estimated travel time from Queens to Optimist is 3 minutes.
On behalf of our entire Tournament Crew in Tavistock, we look forward to welcoming all of you to "our place" for the weekend. You won't be disappointed !!


Sincerely,
Dave Bailey
Tavistock Minor Ball Association